By Office of Public Affairs
6 October 2022- Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)’s Office of Sustainable Campus (OSC) organized a workshop to promote awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
The Office of Sustainable Campus in AIT was formed as part of the Sustainability Task Force to implement the concept of sustainability into operations and instill the idea of sustainability into the community members’ day-to-day operations. OSC, to transform AIT into a living lab, has been working towards promoting SDGs through various campaigns. In September 2022, a photo competition was organized on the occasion of National Wildlife Day, and the results were shared during this event. The objective of SDG 15 is to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.
AIT President Prof. Kazuo Yamamoto appreciated the effort taken by OSC to organize this awareness event and thanked the Regional Resource Centre of Asia and the Pacific (RR.CAP), Student Union, and Office of Facilities and Assets Management (OFAM) for the special student prizes and support. “AIT has a green and sustainable campus and through this workshop, and talks from experts, we will learn more about AIT”, he added.
As the Chair of the Sustainability Task Force, Prof. Yamamoto assured to further embark on many more initiatives at various levels to strive towards a truly sustainable campus, taking one step at a time. Stating that the photos shared by everyone have allowed the community to feel the richness of the AIT ecosystem, Prof. Yamamoto congratulated all the winners and participants of the photo contest.
Mr. Russell Rein, Vice President for Administration (VPA), expressed pride in how AIT has continued to preserve its ecosystem, which has become home to many animals and species, including mangroves. He urged all to enjoy the diversity and uphold it. “The workshop showcased the richness of the AIT ecosystem, which has immense resources that can neutralize our carbon emissions, and the wildlife we have on campus”, he further added.
Prof. Nophea Sasaki, faculty in Natural Resources and Management, SERD, made a presentation on “AIT Forest Carbon Stocks and offsetting emissions.” He focused on carbon emissions and how they can restore the forest ecosystem and offset carbon emissions on campus.
Mr. Phurba Lhendup, Head of Climate Change Cluster, RR.CAP talked about “Wildlife Conservation in our Changing World”. He discussed ecosystem production and process, wildlife species’ global extinction, and the need for awareness on protecting wildlife, with examples of various species on campus, how their life is under threat and how they can be saved.
Ms. Sireesha Bantu, Director, Office of Sustainable Campus emphasized that OSC will further work on many more initiatives at various levels on campus to strive towards a truly sustainable living lab campus, taking one step at a time, with a reminder to everyone “it’s our earth, our responsibility to do green and go green”.
As part of the workshop, the wildlife and nature photo contest winners were presented with cash prizes and prizes to students, staff, and faculty. The winners of the Wildlife and Ecosystem Photo Contest are:
Adult category
Grand prize: Mr. Samagya Bikram Shah, MBA Student, SOM
1st runner-up: Mr. Swarup Raj Dhungana, ICT Student, SET
2nd runner-up: Mr. Aman Gautam, ICT Student, SET
Child Category
Grand prize: Ms. Anuja Pal, Student, AIT International School
Runnerup: Mr. Poonyapat Damnoenpiriyakul, Student, AIT International School
SU special student prizes:
Ms. Puja Bethwal, FINH Student, SERD
Ms. Arti Shrestha, WEM Student, SET
Ms. Maricel A Eneria Student of SET CEIM
OSC special prizes for faculty and staff
Dr. Simon Guerrero Cruz, Faculty, SERD
Ms. Anastasia Yessica, Staff, AIT solutions
Mr. Arnolfo Diaz, Staff, OSA
